do-it-yourself pottery store to open on Square PaGe a8

WedNeSday, July 13, 2011

Around Town Your News Police News

A2 A3 A13

These features youll find only in this weeks print edition of the Washington Times-Reporter. For details, see page A3.

your hometown News Since 1840 DISTRICT 308

www.Washingtontimesreporter.com

Vol. 171 No. 28

Bayler home, renovation delays of concern

By holly richrath
TimesNewspapers

A man and his

By BraNdoN SchatSiek
TimesNewspapers

District 308 School Board members Monday heard from residents in support of preserving a historic Washington home, which the district plans to purchase. Among the supporters was Walter Ruppman, a member of both the Washington Historic Preservation Commission and the Washington Historical Society. Ruppman read letters from both organizations, opposing the possible demolition of the home located at 721 W. Jefferson St. In the preservation commissions letter, it is suggested that the school board consider parceling the recently acquired land into two, distinct sections one for residential or other use, and one for meeting the increased parking needs of the school. Ruppman read on to reveal that the commission is not against the districts purchase of or potential use of the property, but of destroying a unique piece of architecture, rich in Washington history. Known as the G.W. Bayler home, it was once the residence of early Washington settlers George W. and Isadore Bayler. George Bayler helped to elevate local farming standards, while his wife was one of Washingtons first school teachers. At the districts June 13 meeting, school board members approved the purchase of the home for $348,000 from homeowners Chad and Jonna Leuelling. Along with the historic home, the purchase includes 3.3 acres of land and a two-year-old structure that could be used as the high schools maintenance building. The district
See Board PaGe a7

CARS
It sounds like a middle-aged mans wish list for Santa Claus: a 1997 Dodge Viper, 1974 Dodge Charger, 1969 Pontiac ambulance, 1968 Ford Mustang convertible, 1963 Ford Falcon fire chief car, 1963 Ford Galaxie police car and a 1947 Ford COE truck. Instead of a car-lovers wish list, it is a reality for the garage in Washington that houses the Bisanz family and its plethora of cars, antique signs, more than 4,000 Matchbox cars and a 7-foot-tall Big Boy, among other collectibles. Everything in here is part of my 401k plan, John Bisanz said as he stood in the middle of his 3,900-square-foot garage. What started as tinkering around with cars in high school has developed into an obsession to find cars, which cant be found anywhere else. Ive always been really into cars and liked ones that were really unique, said Bisanz who works as a real estate appraiser. If I go to a car show, I dont
See carS PaGe a5

above, John Bisanz poses for a photograph with his 1969 Pontiac ambulance; it is only one of 139 models Pontiac ever made. at left, just a few of the cars that Bisanz houses in his garage in the background: from left, 1997 dodge Viper, 1963 ford falcon fire chief car, 1963 ford Galaxie police car and the ambulance. BRANDON
SCHATSIEK/TIMESNEWSPAPERS

Photos online
SEE MORE CAR PHOTOS AT www.Washington TimesReporter.com

Whats going on here?

By Brandon Schatsiek | Editor

High school renovations under way

What it iS Washington Community High School held a groundbreaking/demolition ceremony Friday morning to kick off its renovation plans.

Times-Reporter changes effective next week

As announced two weeks ago, as of July 20, the Washington TimesReporter will be home delivered only to those households in the 61571 ZIP code which receive either the Wednesday Journal Star or the Peoria Shopper. Subscribers who receive the Journal Star on a Wednesday will receive their Washington Times-Reporter Wednesday mornings, with the daily newspaper. Those households receiving the Peoria Shopper will receive their hometown newspaper between Tuesday and Thursday each week. Readers not receiving the paper at their homes can pick up a FREE copy of the Washington Times-Reporter at any one of these locations: Caseys, 2201 Washington Road
See chaNGeS PaGe a5

district 308 Superintendent dr. Jim dunnan takes out a few bricks on the facade of the 55 east building as part of the groundbreaking and demolition ceremony friday morning. BRANDON SCHATSIEK/TIMESNEWSPAPERS

More than 100 people were in attendance Friday morning to witness the beginning of the renovations at WCHS as part of the $10.2 million referendum. The high school is building a 30,000-square-foot addition that will connect every building and create a secure campus, according to Superintendent Dr. Jim Dunnan. All buildings on campus will be connected, which will provide the security for our staff and students, he said. The new addition will feature a new entry way coming in between Torry Gym and the 55 East addition. It will also house new office space, a new kitchen, and a multipurpose room that can seat up to 475 students during the lunch hour.

The current lunch area will be made into 12 new classrooms to help accommodate overcrowding. When the current first-grade students in the township become freshmen at WCHS in 2019, our enrollment will be 1,399 students, which is approximately 200 more than we house now, Dunnan said. Dunnan said through the hard work for the first referendum, the community was able to see how much the renovations could help WCHS and led to its eventual passing. The revised plan ... was strongly supported by the community and the future of WCHS will be greatly improved to benefit students and staff for many years to come.

care to kNoW more aBout SomethiNG? Drop us a line at: PhoNe 686-3054 email wtr@timestoday.com fax 686-3101 mail PO Box 9426, Peoria, Il 61612

INSIDE Around Town .......... a2 School Notes ........ a10 Opinion ................... a4 Obituaries .............a13 Sports .................. B1-2 Classifieds ........... B7-8

FREE Skin Dimensions, SB Oil Free

Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30
Expires 8/31/11

with the purchase of ANY Skin Dimensions, SB Acne Kit

Peoria, Dunlap & Grand Prairie